Connell Rawlinson dedicates recent Vale form to the fans

Port Vale new-boy Connell Rawlinson admits that the current up-turn in Vale's performance has been down to the fans.

Having developed as a player through the Welsh football system, Rawlinson has admitted he's not used to the following that Vale take to both home and away games, though the centre-back believes he is now thriving at this level.

Despite the perfect start to the season on opening day, Vale struggled to hit the high standards they set for themselves following that 3-0 win over Cambridge.

However, Vale's first away win of 2018 now put Neil Aspin's side three games unbeaten, having won two games on the bounce. Rawlinson has dedicated the recent form to the fans.

He said: "For me, coming through the Welsh system where the crowds aren't the best - it gives me that 10-20 percent extra during games, like when you hear the fans roar or when the goal goes in.

"Personally for me, it's important to impress the fans because they come every week, they pay their hard-earned money and I think for us as a team, we should be looking to impress them every week regardless of results.

"Having a good fanbase here - good travelling away fans always helps the lads on the field to dig in deep when needs be and to grind out results."

The Welsh defender signed for Vale this summer predominantly as a centre-back, though since his arrival has proved his versatility, adapting his game to play at right-back.

Since the start of the season, Neil Aspin has adjusted his formation a few times, experimenting between playing five defenders or four. Having impressed at right-back, Rawlinson has now seemed to be nail down a place in the resilient Port Vale defence.

Having never played in the wider role before his arrival at Vale Park, the defender has admitted that he is keen to keep learning in the new position.

"It is totally new to me - I've only played three times there in my entire career and that's been with Port Vale!

"I spoke to the gaffer when I came in and he said 'we might tinker with you at right-back, we know what you're like at centre-half but we like to experiment with players'. I'm just happy to do what the gaffer asks me.

"If I need to be there and do a job, I'll go there and do a job. The more I play there the more I'll learn the role and get more comfortable in that position because even though it's just ten yards to the right, it is a completely different thing."